about Jeju Islands

Jeju-do, Korea’s largest island, has long been the country’s favourite domestic holiday destination thanks to its beautiful beaches, lush countryside and seaside hotels designed for rest and relaxation. Just off the coast, Jeju Island pulls in vacationers and honeymooners. Jeju, is defined by its volcanic landscape full of craters and cavelike lava tubes. Hallasan Mountain is a dormant volcano visible throughout the island.

A UNESCO Geopark, the Manjang cave is more than eight kilometers long and you can walk one kilometer of its eerie passageway. The women over these years have learnt to deep dive into the wild and windy ocean women for food (octopus, abalone, clams, squid and seaweed). Called the powerful sea-women (haenyo) dive 10-20 meters without any breathing apparatus.

Jungmun beach: a sweep of pale sand, blue sea, green creepers trailing over dunes. Just behind is the Lotte World mega-hotel complex’s Vegas-style pool area complete with fake cliffs, swan-shaped pedal boats and a Dutch windmill. The beautiful beach is empty outside of summer. Other top beaches for swimming and surfing are Emerald Bay, Gwakji, Hamdoek and Shinyang.

The Hanwha Therapy Resort lets jets of water massage you from every angle. Float in the pool with the lights out and music playing, lie back in an oxygen room, get wrapped in a sheet and cocooned in hay in a crib, then wake up in a tropical rain shower. Or try the herb sauna and outdoor spas at Jeju Water World. For the honeymooners, a hilarious over-the-top adult theme park with oversized casts of Western-looking nudes.

Olle in the local dialect means a winding path to your front door, and Olle coastal trails now wind around much of the island.